A significant advancement in lunar resource mining has emerged as Interlune, a startup based in Seattle, announced a landmark commercial agreement with Bluefors. This partnership focuses on the extraction and supply of helium-3, a rare isotope accumulating on the Moon’s surface due to solar wind exposure. With growing industrial demand, particularly from the quantum computing sector, this deal represents the largest purchase of lunar resources to date.
The Implications of the Partnership
On March 12, 2024, Interlune confirmed that Bluefors, a leading manufacturer of dilution refrigerators, will purchase up to 10,000 liters of helium-3 annually from 2028 to 2037. This isotope is critical for maintaining the ultra-low temperatures necessary for quantum computing operations. Current market estimates suggest helium-3 trades at approximately $2,500 per liter, according to The Edelgas Group.
Rob Meyerson, co-founder and CEO of Interlune, highlighted the importance of this agreement, stating, “A majority of the quantum technology industry relies on Bluefors systems to operate and accelerate development. We are excited to help Bluefors continue advancing companies toward unlocking scientific and medical discoveries made possible only by near-absolute-zero temperatures.”
Interlune’s Vision for Lunar Mining
Founded in 2020 by Meyerson, former president of Blue Origin, along with former chief architect Gary Lai and Harrison Schmitt, the last living member of the Apollo 17 mission, Interlune aims to capitalize on the Moon’s helium-3 reserves. Schmitt, a geologist and advocate for lunar resource utilization, has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision.
Over the past five years, Interlune has raised over $18 million in venture funding to develop robotic harvesters and initiate a demonstration mission in 2027. The company plans to establish a pilot plant by 2029, although it faces significant technological and logistical challenges. There remains skepticism within the scientific community regarding the viability and value of mining helium-3, as the actual quantities on the Moon are yet to be fully determined.
Despite the uncertainty, the demand for helium-3 is expected to rise as the quantum computing industry progresses toward commercialization. Tech giants such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft are making strides in this field, increasing the urgency for reliable helium-3 sources.
While Interlune’s agreement with Bluefors marks a pivotal moment in the quest for lunar resources, it also underscores the ongoing debate about the feasibility and profitability of lunar mining. The promise of helium-3 remains largely theoretical at this stage, yet the partnership signals a potential shift in how humanity approaches space resource extraction.
